Com One Debuts Web-Radio Streaming Clock Radio

Com One, known for its Bluetooth accessories, is venturing into the Wi-Fi market with a Wi-Fi-connected clock radio that streams music from the Internet without connecting to a PC.

The $249-suggested Phoenix Wi-Fi/IP radio, which also runs on batteries, is preloaded with 500 URLs, but users can use a PC to go to the company's server to download additional URLs, including those of podcast sites.

It features integrated stereo speakers in a chassis that weighs less than two pounds. It lets users customize preferences by bookmarking favorite stations and songs and retrieving song titles and artist data from playlists.

The next-generation device will stream subscription streaming sites, whose names will be announced after International CES.

The first-generation models features an alarm clock, 2x2-watt amp, eight preset radio station buttons, rechargeable batteries and integrated internal charger for portability; integrated stereo speakers and spatialization enhancer technology; the ability to plug into any hi-fi stereo system or headphones with analog outputs; connections to any 802.11b/g wireless network; optional Bluetooth connectivity through an adapter, bookmarking of songs and stations for instant access; firmware upgrades over the air; push and pull interactivity and management of subscription or click-and-buy functions; and decoders for streaming music in the MP3, WMA, AAC, Real, WAV and AIFF formats. Click-and-buy functions will allow the purchase of songs and downloading to an attached storage device. It ships with four AA rechargeable batteries.

The device is available to retailers, but the company is also targeting private-label relations with broadband carriers, the company said. It will be displayed at CES.

"You can listen to your home station while traveling, or tune in for news and weather from a destination where you're headed," said Com One Executive Vice President Christophe Dissaux.

Com One's Bluetooth devices include speakers, portable computer keyboards, adapters and dongles for all of the most popular consumer electronics, laptops and telephony devices.

Com One is a subsidiary of Baracoda, a maker of Bluetooth barcode scanning and RFID solutions.